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Henrico practices swift water rescue ahead of holiday weekend

Posted at 6:41 PM, May 24, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-24 21:20:31-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - The Henrico Swift Water Rescue Training Team was practicing at the Pony Pasture area of the James River for most of the day.

The team practiced Thursday using different rescue techniques . They also deployed different rescue tools.

Henrico started the program 10 years ago and has seen an increase in water rescue calls.

The fire department says it's partly due to flooding because urbanization, but there are others on the water who may be reckless.

The fire department adds water rescues are the most dangerous thing they do.

In fact, someone performing a water rescue is four times more likely to die than performing any other task in the department.